There’s Always a Deal…Somewhere
From the folks at http://www.IceTheDeal.com:
Let me get this straight - and correct me if I’m wrong: Derm Dobbin’s group competes with SJSE for a Junior Hockey franchise. Said franchise is won by the Dobbin group, and the “Fog Devils” are born (not so crazy about that name) — but they are homeless. They need a stadium.
St. John’s Sports and Entertainment (SJSE) just happen to manage Mile One stadium. Mile One is losing its primary tenant, the Maple Leafs, at the end of this season. If there’s no deal, then Mile One is the most expensive warehouse in provincial history, and the Fog Devils probably play elsewhere, or may just go away.
Andy, Derm, Councilors, SJSE: come on, let’s make something happen here. Let’s put people in Mile One. I don’t know any of the specifics, but both sides can probably compromise a little. Curious to hear if readers have opinions on this.
Oh, and in case the deal does fall through: another super market is definitely out. No more super markets. Don’t even think about it — just in case it crosses your mind (not that it has).
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Thanks, Kevin, I have send an email. Maybe it might help.
Comment by Anne — 2/11/2005 @ 10:13 amKevin,
The Fog Devils will only play about 30 home games so that is only 30 days of the year Mile One would be used by the team. The other 335 day have to be fill by other events, Concerts, conventions, curling etc. So in that light it is not going to leave Mile One empty as such. However, if the team does not play out of Mile One then SJSE would have to find events to fill those vacant 30 days or it will lose revenue and the money subsidy will comes from the tax payers. The biggest stumbling block to the deal is how the Fog Devils and SJSE want to split the corporate boxes and the advertising money which amounts to about 1.5 million dollars by SJSE estimates. I believe they want a split of $900,000 For them and $600,000 for the Fog Devils. This info. is based on watching the council meetings the past week or so. SJSE claim that if the deal above is not the one they get the team will have to be subsidized to the tune of $1,000,000 above the already $1,000,000 we the tax payer already subsidize Mile One.
This is just the information put out by city council I’m not claiming SJSE numbers are coorect, because Derm Dobbins numbers differ from theirs hence the disagreement. Just a little back ground info. to consider.
Comment by B. Scaplen — 2/11/2005 @ 10:48 amThanks for the info, B.
Washington DC had a similar city council battle this year the MLB. It’s a completely different story, but the Expos move to DC almost never happened due to wrangling between DC city council members and financing for a new stadium.
I suspect that both sides could give a little here. Even though the Devils would only account for 30 days, the atmosphere surrounding a junior team accounts for more. It’s a recurring presence in the city instead of a one-off convention or concert.
I’d personally love to see Junior Hockey there. I frequented cheap Moosehead games in Halifax a few years back. Great hockey and a great time, and HFX denizens took real pride and interest in these young players. But most of all it was a laugh to sit and watch good affordable hockey on a Friday night.
Comment by Kevin McCann — 2/11/2005 @ 10:57 amBy all accounts the hockey will be more exciting to watch than the current AHL, I don’t find that hard to believe. It will be a shame if they do not come to an agreemnet. Coucil should be looking out for the tax payers interests but they can be a very petty bunch so lets hope that does not get in the way.
Comment by B. Scaplen — 2/11/2005 @ 11:30 amI think that there just might be a wee bit of sour grapes here on the part of SJSE and Andy is not the easiest to get along with. A good solution would be to sell Mile One to the Fog Devils group and save a bunch of money on behalf of the taxpayer. With the proceeds from the sale the City could buy back the old Memorial stadium and develop it as a park area which could be used and enjoyed by present and future residents. It would be win, win. The city would have hockey and we could get the old stadium site back and still have money in the bank.
Comment by Jeremiah — 2/11/2005 @ 2:06 pmMoosehead games in Halifax showcased great, energetic hockey. Young lads, half of them barely out of high school, barely getting paid anything (I don’t know the specifics…how are junior hockey players compensated, if at all?), competing like savages because they both love the game and want to make a name for themselves. I think I paid $10 or $15 per ticket. A true sports event with hungry players and avid fans.
It would indeed be a shame if there is no deal.
Comment by Kevin McCann — 2/11/2005 @ 2:29 pmIt would be a shame but Andy Wells fancies himself to be as crafty as that other undisciplined moron for the NHL, Gary Bettman.
I hear he gets a cool million from the owners if he gets the salary cap! No wonder he’s inflexible!) Once again the fans suffer for greed. The incoming revenues for Junior Hockey are less than those of AHL, Andy. Congrats on Fog Deviling us out of a season…
And on that,… Who finalized that lame name and is there a chance to recovery some measure of dignity by toughening up that pitifull monicre and to save a little face now that the season is indefinitely postponed?
Fred from CBS
Comment by Fred Harris — 2/11/2005 @ 4:14 pmGreetings from Ottawa.
Pity about your Fog Devils. Why don’t they go ahead and book games at the Memorial Center untill something is worked out?
Could it be the city wants a ECHL team instead in St.John’s?
Hope you get a club because the Quebec League is great hockey at an affordable price. I have been a fan of both Gatineau Olympiques and Ottawa 67’s (Ontario League)for more years than I care to admit!
To answer Kevin McCann’s query, junior players get $60 a week and room and board plus a university tuition.
Best of luck to the Rock!
Comment by Paul Goulet — 2/14/2005 @ 1:41 am